Jim Frank Classic on Friday

A new format and location will be featured Friday afternoon when the Jim Frank Cross Country Classic is held at Spooner Lake State Park.

The event will serve as the season-opening Tah-Neva League meet for six middle school teams, combined with an open race for adults. The first middle school race starts at 3 p.m. and the open race is set to go off at 5.

The 6th and 7th grade runners will compete over a 1.9-mile course and 8th graders on a 2.2-mile course around Spooner Lake. The open race will be staged over the same 2.2-mile loop.

The Jim Frank Classic was held at Fuji Park in the '80s then revived last year at Centennial Park.

"We're super excited about this," race director Tim Tetz said. "This is a unique format that we don't have for any of our other races, in that it gives the adults a chance to see how they stack up with the kids and it gives the kids a chance to see how they stack up against the adults."

Tetz added that Spooner Lake State Park experienced some damage from last weekend's storm, but everything is set now for race day.

"The parks service helped get everything cleared up so we're in good shape," Tetz said.

The race day entry fee will be $15 for youngsters and $20 for adults on race day. Participants will receive T-shirts and post-race refreshments. Registration begins at 2 p.m. Each car that enters Spooner Lake State Park is charged a $5 park use fee.

For information, call Fleet Feet Sports at 883-3361.